Sheltering on both sides

Some 260,000 of the Gaza Strip's 1.8 million people have taken refuge in schools and other institutions run by the United Nations in the face of nearly four weeks of Israeli bombardment. Many are staying put for now, waiting to see if a 72-hour ceasefire that began on August 5 holds.

Meanwhile in southern Israeli areas that have been hit by daily rocket and mortar bomb attacks from the Gaza Strip, many residents also remained in their shelters.

5 Aug 2014. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Ashkelon, in southern Israel, has been a frequent target of rocket attacks from Gaza.

By law new apartments must be equipped with reinforced “safe rooms,” but those who don’t have access to such facilities can seek refuge in public shelters like the one pictured above.

Reuters photographer Amir Cohen captured pictures of Israelis in such shelters, living in makeshift conditions and sleeping on the floor.

Meanwhile in Gaza many families have sought protection in schools and other institutions.

Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem documented just some of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have sought refuge, as they lead a tense existence in these rough and ready shelters, where they are also left sleeping on the ground.

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3 Aug 2014. JABALIYA, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

A girl looks out of a classroom window at a U.N.-run school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Jabaliya refugee camp.